Steam table for food



' A. M. DEMUTH. STEAM TABLE FOR roon.

APPLICATION FI'LED JULY 18. 192:.

' Patented Sept 26, 1922.

2 SHEETSrSHEET I.

A. M. DEM UTH. STEAM 00000000000 D.

' Patented Sept. 26, 1922.

. 2 EEEEEEEEEEEE 2.

- I 'liumnior fWedMflzWad/Z Patented Sept 263, i922. i I

ALFRED it. nurture; or CHICAGO, ILLINOXS, risers-non *ro nnivrurr-rivranuracresins coraraur, or crrrcaeo, farmers, A conronii'rron oFrLLINo s.

s rnaivr rannn- FOB noon llpplicationrfiledjuly is, 1921 Serial n6. eeasez.

T c aZZw/t om-t may concern: size and configuration, the bottomrll ofthe Beit known that I, Airline M. :DIlMUTH, chamber being so constructed as to form a a citizen of the United States, residing at trough or channel 12 adjacent the trans- Chicago, in the county of Cook andState verse cent-er thereof andwhich channel e2;- of Illinois, have invented certain new and tends for the entire length of the chamber. useful Improvements in Steam Tables for The channel may be formed in any suitable Food,-of which'the following is a specilica- .manner but preferably by inclining the bottion. v v tom 11 downwardlyfrom the-sides thereof This invention relates to improvements towardthecenter, and so asto form atrough in what is commonly termed steam tables, or channel for maintaining a supply of'liqparticularly adapted though not necessarily uid in, the chamber and which supply does limited in its use for keeping hot or warm, not cover the entire bottom. The top of cooked articles of food and to which articles the chamber mayalso be formed in any suiteady access may. be had, the tablebeing so able manner out is preferably shaped to form 5. constructed that thesteam from the heating series of 'open receptacles which are 7 0 medium will not only beprevented fromespreferably of a somewhat shallow construccaping butvwilltalso be prevented from comtion and project into] the chamber so that ing into contact with the articles of food or they willbe out of contact with theremainthe hands of the attendant. i

V I j a ing walls of the chamber, andthese recep- 0 A further object is to providean improved tacles 13 are also out of communication with self-contained table of this character having the interior of the chamber. I Additional means whereby the liquid which is converted and similar receptacles 14: may also be into steainmay be automatically supplied formed in the top, preferably adjacent one and replenished when necessary, thereby obend thereof but these receptacles 14 are pref,

:- 5 viating the necessity of having to fill or superably somewhat deeper than the receptacles ply the same or having to watch the appa 1S and are adapted to receive and holdisuitratus, and also rendering it possible to use able food containers 15L The chambers 13 c the table with a verysmall supply of liquid may also receive suitable foodcontainers or which does not cover the entire bottom of trays 16. i

30; the vapor chamber, so that the liquid will The tank thus formedis supported in be quickly converted into steam or vapor, suitable manner and t any suitable height thereby conserving fuel, means being also the tank preferably constitutes the top provided whereby the supply ofliquid may of theycompartment 17 that is arrange be entirely out off from-the table when detherebeneatlnthe whole being supported 35; sired. Y c s I j preferably by means of suitable legs or sup- To the attainment of these ends and the ports 18; lhis compartment 17 is provided accomplishment of other new and useful with an open side 19 adaptedto be closed objects as will appear, the invention conby suitable closures 20 that slide in suitable sists in the features of novelty in substan grooves or guideways 21f Arrangedwithin 4'0 tially the construction, combination and arthe compartment 17 aresuitable burners 22 rangementof the several parts hereinafter which are disposed preferably adjacent the i more fully described and claimed and shown lowermost portion of the bottom- 11 of the in' the accompanying drawings illustrating tank for heating the same, and the burners this invention and in wh-ich- I I are supplied with fuel through a suitable 45 Figure 1 is a view partly inside elevapipe 23havingconnection (not shown) with tion, partly broken away and partly in scc anysuitable source of supply of fuel.

, tion. a i The walls of thecompartment 17 are pref;

Figure 2 is a top plan'view. & I erably provided with a series of apertures Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view as or openings Q-to permit air to enter for the p q c purpose or supporting combustion; Figure '4: is a side elevation of the liquid n Liquid is suppliedto the chamber 10 jpref supply tank. I i erably from a tank or liqu d supply holder Referring more particularly to the draw- 25 which may peof anysuitable size and conings the numeral 10 designates generally a figuration and" 1s arrangedv preferably ad- 55- liquidchamber which may be of any desired jacent one end of the table, being supported 11.0 i

means of a suitable bracket 26 connected with the table and also with the tank. Leading from the tank 25 is a discharge outlet pipe 27 which has communication as at 28 with the chamber 10 preferably at the lowermost point of the bottom, the opening 28 being disposed at a predetermined point above the lowermost point of the bottom or the channel 12, so as to maintain a predetermined supply of liquid in the trough or channel 12, in-a manner to be set forth. A suitable valve 29 may be provided in the discharge pipe 2'7 for controlling the delivery of the liquid to the chamber 10, when desired, and a draw off pipe 30 leads from the bottom of the trough 12 and is controlled by thereby rendering it possible to drain the water from the chamberlO when desired.

The tank or supply holder 25 is provided with a fill opening closed by a suitable closure 32 and a gage 33 having a pet cook 84-, of the usual construction, may also be provided for the tank 25.

In use, and assuming that the chamber 10 is empty, no water being contained in the trough or channel 12, and the valve 31 being closed, the valve 29 is also closed and the cap or closure 32 removed. The tank 25 may then be filled with water after which the closure 32 is placed in position and this will hermetically seal the tank. The valve 29 may then be opened and the water will flow from the tank 25 into the trough 12 of the chamber 10 until the water level in the trough 12 reaches a point sufficient to close the outlet opening 28 of the pipe 27 at which time the supply of water fromthe tank 25 will be automatithereby by cally controlled or stopped. As the water is consumed and the water supply will be automati 1n the trough 12 level lowers, the cally replenished change of the water level in the trough 12. When it is desired to entirely shut off the supply of water from the tank 25, the valve 29' is closed.

By the provision of the trough 12 it will be manifest that a comparatively small supply of liquid will be necessary and it will be manifest that the liquid does not cover the entire bottom of the chamber 10. This renders it possible to rapidly heat the liquid to convert the same into steam or vapor ""iih a small amount of fuel, thereby redu ing expense and conserving fuel and at the same time producing a rapid conver sion of the liquid into steam.

A safety blow off device 35 of any suitable or well known construction may be connected with the chamber 10 to insure safety and this blow off device 35 is set to operate at a predetermined pressure so that when the pressure within the chamber 10 exceeds the point at which the valve 35 is 38 may also extend suitable brackets 39.

means of a suitable valve 31,-

and controlled by the ing the operation of the device and itwill therefore be manifest that the degree of pressure in the chamber 10 will be controlled by the blow off device 35.

A suitable ledge or support 36 may be provided to extend along one side of the table and is connected thereto by means of suitable brackets 37 and a suitable support along the opposite side of the table and is supported by means of With this improved construction, itwill be manifest that a self-contained apparatus is provided and it will also be manifest that it will necessitate not only a small supply of liquid in the chamber 10, but the device or the means of supplying and replenishing the liquid in the chamber 10 will be automatically controlled thereby rendering it unnecessary to watch the apparatus and also obviate the necessity of having to refill'the chamber when the liquid therein is consumed, as has heretofore been necessary in devices of this character.

i It will also be noted that the blow off device 35 is arranged between the end of the tank 25 and the end of the support or ledge 38 as is also the gage 83, so that these'parts will be protected andwill be out of the Way so that they cannot be injured.

While the preferred form of the invention has been herein shown and described it is to be understood that various chan es may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention;

What is claimed as new is z I 1. A self-contained steam table of the character described embodying a closed chamber for holding a non-circulating liquid intended to be converted into vapor, said chamber having a portion shaped to form receptacles extending into the cham her and opening through one Wall there.- of, said receptacles being closed to the interior of the chamber, a closed liquid supply holder, and means whereby the said supply will automatically maintain the liquid at a predetermined level in the saidliquid chamber.

2; A self-contained steam table of the character described embodying a closed chamber for holding a non-circulating liquid intended to be converted into vapor, said chamber having a portion shaped to form receptacles extending into the chamber and opening through one wall thereof, said receptacles being closed to the interior. of the chamber, a closed liquid supply holder, a connection between the said supply holder and thechamber whereby the supply will" aiitoina'tically maintainthe liquid at a predetermined level in the said liquid chamber, means for controlling at will the delivcry of the liquid from the supply holder iiito the said chamber, and means for heating the chamber toconvert the liquid 'into'vapor.

3; Aqself-contained steam table of the character described embodying a closed chamber for holding a non-circulating liquid intended to be converted into vapor, said chamber having a portion shaped to form receptacles extending into the chamber and opening through one wall'thereof', said re ceptacles being closed to the interiorvof the chamber, a closed liquid supply holder, a connection-between thesaid supply holder and the chamber whereby the supply will automatically maintain the liquid at a predetermined level in the said liquid chamber, means for controlling at will the delivery of the liquid from the supply holder into the said chamber, means for heating the chamber to convert the liquid into vapor, and a safety blow off device for the said chamber.

4:. A self-contained steam table of the character described embodying a closed chamber for holding a non-circulating liquid intended to be converted into vapor, the,

upper wall of the chamber being shaped to form a plurality of open receptacles projecting into the chamber and spaced from the remaining walls thereof and being closed to the interior of the chamber, the bottom of the chamber inclining downwardly towards the transverse center to form a comparatively shallow trough for the liquid and extending lengthwise of the chamber, a closed liquid supply holder connected with the chamber and discharging thereinto adjacent the bottom thereof, means for controlling at will the delivery of the liquid into the chamber, a safety blow off for the chamber, and a burner arranged beneath the lowermost portion of the bottom of the chamber.

5. A self-contained steam table of the character described embodying a closed chamber for holding a non-circulating liquid intended to be converted. into steam, the upper wall of the chamber embodying one or more open receptacles projecting into the chamber and spaced from the remaining walls thereof and being closed to the interior of the chamber, a closed liquid supply tank supported by the table, said tank hav. ing a fill opening, a closure for the opening to hermetically seal the tank, a connection between the tank and the chamber whereby the contents of the tank will be delivered into the chamber, a valve in the connection,

and a safety blow off for the chamber.

6. A self-contained steam table of the character described embodying a closed chamber for holding a non-circulating liquid intended to beco'nverted into steam, the upper wall of'the chamber embodying one orm'ore open receptacles projecting into the chamber and spaced from the remaining walls thereof and" being closed to the interior of the chamber, a closed liquid supply tanksupported by the table, said tank having a fill opening,a closure for the openingto hermetically seal the tank, a connec tion between the tank, and the chamber whereby the contents of the tank will'be delivered into the chamber, a valve in the connection, and a safety blow off for the chamber, a portion of the bottom of the chamber at the center thereof being lower than the remaining portion of the bottom to form a trough like ortion for the liquid, said trough like portion extending length wise of the chamber.

7. A self-contained steam table of the character described embodying a closed chamber for holding a noncir.culating liquid intended to be converted into steam, the upper wall of the chamber embodying one or more open receptacles projecting into the chamber and spaced from the remaining vwalls thereof and being closedto the interior of the chamber, a closed liquid supply tank supported by the table, said tank having a fill opening, a closure for the opening to hermetically seal the tank, a connection between the tank and the chamber whereby the contents of the tank will be delivered into the chamber, a valve in the connection, a safety blow off for the chamber, a portion of the bottom of the chamber at the center thereof being lower than the remaining portion of the bottom to form a trough like portion for the liquid, said trough like por tion extending lengthwise of the chamber, and a draw off for the liquid in the chamber.

8. A steam table of the character described embodying a closed chamber for holding a non-circulating liquid, open receptacles eX- tending into the chamber through the top thereof and spaced from the remaining walls of the chamber, the bottom ofthe chamber being shaped to form a liquid channel disposed below the remaining portion of the bottom for maintaining the liquid in the chamber in a clearly defined zone of awidth considerably less than the width of the said bottom, means for automatically maintaining the liquid in the chamber at a predetermined level, and means exterior of the chamber for treating the liquid.

9. A steam table of the character described embodying a closed chamber for holding a non-circulating liquid, open receptacles ex tending into the chamber through the top thereof and spaced from the remaining walls of the chamber, the bottom of the chamber being shaped to form a liquid channel disposed below the remaining portion of the bottom I01 maintaining the liquid in the &

chamber in a clearly defined zone of a width considerably less than the width of the said bottom, a closed liquid supply tank connected with the table, a connection between the tank and chamber, the outlet of the connection being so disposed with relation to the bottom of the said channel as to antomatically maintain the liquid at a predetermined level in the channel, and means exterior of the chamber for heating the liquid therein.

10. A steam table of the character described embodying a closed chamber for holding a non-circulating liquid, open receptacles extending into the chamber through the top thereof and spaced from the remaining walls of the chamber, the bottom of the chamber being shaped to form a liquid channel disposed below the remaining portion of the bottom for maintaining the liquid in the chamber in a clearly defined zone of a width considerably less than the width of the said bottom, a closed liquid supply tank connected with the table, a connection between the tank and chamber, means for controlling at will the said connection, means exterior of the chamber for heating the liquid therein, and a safety blow off device for the table.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification on this 13th day of July A. D. 1921.

ALFRED M. DEMUTHV 

